Crossbow Apparatus and Kit Therefore

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a miniature crossbow apparatus expressly adapted for use as a toy or amusement device in launching toy projectiles. The crossbow apparatus may be provided in kit form such that the user may develop construction skills and satisfaction by assembling the crossbow apparatus from provided constituent parts. The crossbow apparatus preferably includes at least one feature of a captive axleless rotating trigger feature, an armed bolt (projectile) retention feature, an integrated spare bolt (projectile) retention feature, a grip comprised of O-rings feature, and a crossbow arm anti-rotation feature. The crossbow apparatus further preferably is provided with a crossbow stand (holder) that doubles a target device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toys, and in particular, to toycrossbows for use in developing construction skills and for amusement inlaunching projectiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy bow and arrow sets are well known in the industry and enjoywidespread use. However, such bow and arrow sets typically require theuser to purchase a completed set and most are not of a miniature size.An example of a prior art crossbow apparatus is disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 29/549,640, which is expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a crossbow apparatus which is preferably aminiature crossbow apparatus expressly adapted for use as a toy oramusement device in launching toy projectiles. The crossbow apparatusmay be provided in kit form such that the user may develop constructionskills and satisfaction by assembling the crossbow apparatus fromprovided constituent parts. The body of the crossbow apparatus ispreferably constructed of shaped plate members. The crossbow apparatuspreferably includes at least one feature of a captive axleless rotatingtrigger feature, an armed bolt (projectile) retention feature, anintegrated spare bolt (projectile) retention feature, a grip comprisedof O-rings feature, and a crossbow arm anti-rotation feature. Thecrossbow apparatus further preferably is provided with a crossbow stand(holder) that doubles a target device.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a trimetric view of the crossbow apparatus in an assembled,uncocked, and unloaded configuration and resting in the combinationstand/target apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a trimetric view of the crossbow apparatus in an assembled,cocked, and loaded configuration;

FIG. 3 is an exploded trimetric view of the crossbow apparatus with“explosion lines” shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is an orthographic side sectional view of the crossbow apparatuswithout crosshatching so as to improve drawing clarity with the boltshown in phantom lines and with the trigger shown in a pre-actuationposition in solid lines and in an actuated position in phantom lines;

FIG. 5 is a trimetric view of the stand/target apparatus, and;

FIG. 6 is an exploded trimetric view of the stand/target apparatus with“explosion lines” shown in phantom lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areincluded to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention can be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention inreviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature tableis provided below. It is noted that like features are like numberedthroughout all of the figures.

FEATURE TABLE # Feature # Feature 10 Crossbow apparatus 20 Stock basemember 22 Trigger reception hole 24 Hexagonal fastener hole 26 SmallO-ring retention hole 30 Handle member 32 Grip 34 Bolt retention flange36 Hexagonal fastener hole 38 Large O-ring retention notch 40 Stock sidemember 42 Bow string reception notch 44 Hexagonal fastener hole 46Medium O-ring retention hole 48 Spare bolt retention hole 50 Trigger 52Trigger bulb 54 Trigger blade 56 Trigger hammer 60 Bow arm device 62Attachment flange 64 Arm 65 String attach knob 66 Arm opening 68 Attachhole 70 Bow string device 72 Bow string 74 First string loop 76 Secondstring loop 78 Crimp connectors 80 Crossbow body 82 Channel 84 SmallO-ring 85 Medium O-ring 86 Large O-ring 87 Hexagonal fastener insert 88Threaded screw 90 Bolt 92 Bolt shaft 94 Bolt tip 100 Stand/targetapparatus 110 Target device 112 Target member 114 Concentric ring 115Flange 116 Retention opening 118 Retention notch 120 Cross member 122Holder opening 124 Upper connection flange 126 Target retention notch127 Lower connection flange 128 Base retention notch 130 Base plate 132Outer fastener hole 134 Inner fastener hole 140 Interface plate 142Outer fastener hole 144 “T” opening 148 Stand/target body 150 Leg device152 Leg shaft 154 Foot 156 Fastener hole 162 Long self-tapping screw 164Short self-tapping screw 168 Explosion line

Referring now to the drawings, in a preferred embodiment the inventionis a crossbow apparatus 10 for use as a toy or amusement device inlaunching toy projectiles and for use in developing construction skillsand satisfaction by assembling crossbow apparatus 10 comprising a stockbase member 20, a handle member 30, a plurality of stock side members40, a trigger 50, a plurality of bow arm devices 60, a bow string device70, a plurality of small O-rings 84, a plurality of medium O-rings 85, aplurality of large O-rings 86, a plurality of hexagonal fastener inserts87, and a plurality of threaded screws 88.

Stock base member 20 preferably defines a substantially planar stockmember of a predetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched,or stamped from a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and havinga trigger reception hole 22, a plurality of hexagonal fastener holes 24,and a plurality of small O-ring retention holes 26.

Handle member 30 preferably defines a substantially planar handle memberof a predetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched, orstamped from a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and having agrip 32, a bolt retention flange 34, a plurality of hexagonal fastenerholes 36, and a plurality of O-ring retention notches 38.

Stock side member 40 preferably defines a substantially planar stockmember of a predetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched,or stamped from a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and havinga bow string reception notch 42, a plurality of hexagonal fastener holes44, a plurality of medium O-ring retention holes 46, and a plurality ofspare bolt retention holes 48.

Trigger 50 preferably defines a substantially planar trigger of apredetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched, or stampedfrom a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and having a triggerbulb 52, a trigger blade 54, and a trigger hammer 56.

Bow arm device 60 preferably defines a substantially planar device of apredetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched, or stampedfrom a sheet such as a sheet of spring steel and being bent (such as viaa brake press) to further form a substantial “L” shaped device andhaving an attachment flange 62, an arm 64, a string attach knob 65, anarm opening 66, and a plurality of attach holes 68.

Bow string device 70 defines a bow string device having a bow string 72and a plurality of crimp connectors 78. Bow string 72 preferably definesa predetermined length of durable string or cord or alternatively, apredetermined length of metal cable. Crimp connector 78 preferablydefines a semi-malleable crimpable metal connector. Bow string device 70is assembled such that a first loop 74 is formed in a first end ofstring 72 and a crimp connector 78 is crimped onto a portion of loop 74so as to substantially retain loop 74, and such that a second loop 76 isformed in a second end of string 72 and a crimp connector 78 is crimpedonto a portion of loop 76 so as to substantially retain loop 76.

Crossbow apparatus 10 is adapted to be used in combination with bolt 90.Bolt 90 defines an arrow type bolt projectile having a shaft 92 and apreferably blunt tip 94. The exemplary bolt 90 disclosed herein ispreferably formed by cutting or otherwise removing one end of a(plastic, wood, rolled paper etc.) stick type cotton swab such as acotton swab available under the trade name “Q-tips” as supplied by theUnilever Corporation. Bolt 90 may be painted such as with a black orbrown paint.

Crossbow apparatus 10 is assembled such that trigger bulb 52 isrotatably positioned in trigger reception hole 22 and one small O-ring84 is pressed into each of small O-ring retention holes 26. One stockside member 40 is placed on each side of stock base member 20, trigger50, and handle member 30, such that stock base member 20, trigger 50,and handle member 30 are sandwiched between stock side members 40. Onemedium O-ring 85 is pressed into each medium O-ring retention hole 46 ofeach stock side member 40. One hexagonal fastener insert 87 is pressedinto each hexagonal fastener hole 44 such that a single hexagonalfastener insert 87 is pressed into a hexagonal fastener hole 44 of afirst stock side member 40 and into a hexagonal fastener hole 24 andinto a hexagonal fastener hole 44 of a second stock side member 40, andsuch that a single hexagonal fastener insert 87 is pressed into ahexagonal fastener hole 44 of a first stock side member 40 and into ahexagonal fastener hole 36 and into a hexagonal fastener hole 44 of asecond stock side member 40. The combination or “sub-assembly” of stockbase member 20, handle member 30, stock side members 40, and a trigger50 comprise crossbow body 80, thus preferably defining a crossbow bodythat is substantially entirely comprised of shaped plate members.Crossbow body 80 is also assembled such that channel 82 is formedbetween stock side members 40 so as to receive bolt 90. Crossbowapparatus 10 is further assembled such that a first bow arm device 60 ismounted to a first stock side member 40 and a second bow arm device 60is mounted to a second stock side member 40 with threaded screws 88being inserted through attach holes 68 and threaded into hexagonalfastener inserts 87. Bow string device 70 is mounted to bow arm devices60 by flexing bow arm devices 60 and placing first sting loop 74 on afirst string attach knob 65 and by placing second sting loop 76 on asecond string attach knob 65 as is shown in FIG. 1. With bow stringdevice 70 mounted to bow arm devices 60 and in an uncockedconfiguration, bow arm devices 60 will be flexed somewhat and arms 64will be somewhat preloaded. Crossbow apparatus 10 is further assembledsuch that large O-rings 86 are stretched onto large O-ring retentionnotches 38 to provide a more sure grippable surface of grip 32. It shallbe noted that crossbow apparatus 10 preferably defines a miniatureCrossbow apparatus which for the purposes of this application shall bedefined as a crossbow apparatus that fits within a 12 inch×12 inch×12inch cubic three dimensional spatial envelope. In a preferredembodiment, crossbow apparatus 10 disclosed herein fits within a 6inch×6 inch×6 inch cubic three dimensional spatial envelope. It shallalso be noted that phantom lines 168 are “explosion lines” and indicatedthe assembly relationship between the various components.

With crossbow apparatus 10 thus assembled, crossbow apparatus 10 is usedby cocking crossbow apparatus 10 by pulling bow string 72 towards handlemember 30 and causing bow string 72 to rest in bow string receptionnotch 42. Crossbow apparatus 10 is armed by loading a bolt 90 intochannel 82 such that bolt 90 is actuatingly but retentatively placedheld in place between channel 82 and bolt retention flange 34. Oncecocked and armed, crossbow apparatus 10 is fired or actuated by pullingtrigger blade 54 such that trigger 50 rotates about trigger bulb 52 andsuch that trigger hammer 56 pushes bow string 72 out of bow stringreception notch 42. The released of bow string 72 out of bow stringreception notch 42 causes bow string 72 to snap forward and to engageand propel bolt 90 as a projectile towards an intended target. Crossbowapparatus 10 is also adapted such that spare bolts 90 may be stored incrossbow apparatus 10 by inserting spare bolts 90 through spare boltretention holes 48 and small O-ring retention holes 26 such that sparebolts 90 are removeably held in place by small O-rings 84.

Crossbow apparatus 10 is preferably used in combination withstand/target apparatus 100. Referring again to the drawings, in apreferred embodiment the stand/target apparatus 100 is used as acombined crossbow display stand (holder) and target comprising a targetdevice 110, a cross member 120, a base plate 130, an interface place140, a plurality of leg devices 150, a plurality of long self-tappingscrews 162, and a plurality of short self-tapping screws 164.

Target device 110 preferably defines a substantially planar targetdevice of a predetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched,or stamped from a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and havinga target member 112, concentric rings 114, a flange 115, a retentionopening 116, and a retention notch 118.

Cross member 120 preferably defines a substantially planar cross memberof a predetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched, orstamped from a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and having aholder opening 122, an upper connection flange 124, a target retentionnotch 126, a lower connection flange 127, and a base retention notch128.

Base plate 130 preferably defines a substantially planar base plate of apredetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched, or stampedfrom a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and having a pluralityof outer fastener holes 132 and a plurality of inner fastener holes 134.

Interface plate 140 preferably defines a substantially planar interfaceplate of a predetermined profile being preferably cut, routed, punched,or stamped from a sheet such as a sheet of aluminum or steel and havinga plurality of outer fastener holes 14 and a “T” (shaped) opening 144.

Leg device 150 comprises leg shaft 152 having a foot 154 connected on afirst end and a fastener hole 156 positioned in a second end. Leg shaft152 and foot 154 are may be comprised of metal, wood, plastic, or othersuitable material.

Stand/target apparatus 100 is assembled such that upper connectionflange 124 is inserted into retention opening 116 with flange 115position into target retention notch 126. Interface plate 140 ispositioned onto target device 110 and cross member 120 such that flange115 and lower connection flange 127 are positioned within “T” opening144. Base plate 130 is positioned in faying contact with a lower surfaceof interface plated 140, and short self-tapping screws 164 are threadedthrough inner fastener holes 134 such that one short self-tapping screw164 each is threaded into base retention notch 128 and retention notch118 such that target device 110, cross member 120, base plate 130, andinterface place 140 are securely connected together. The combination or“sub-assembly” of target device 110, cross member 120, base plate 130,and interface place 140 comprise stand/target body 148, thus preferablydefining a stand/target body that is substantially entirely comprised ofshaped plate members. Stand/target apparatus 100 is further assembledsuch that leg devices 150 are positioned on a lower side of base plate130 and such that long self-tapping screws 162 are threaded throughouter fastener holes 142, outer fastener holes 132, and into fastenerholes 156 such that leg devices 150 are secured to stand/target body148.

With stand/target apparatus 100 thus assembled, stand/target apparatus100 is used by shooting bolts 90 preferably at concentric target rings114. When crossbow apparatus 10 is not in use, stand/target apparatus100 is also used by placing crossbow apparatus 10 in holder opening 122preferably such that at least one set of medium O-rings 85 are press-fitwithin holder opening 122 and such that crossbow apparatus 10 isdisplayed.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A crossbow apparatus having at least one of acaptive axleless trigger device, an armed bolt retention device, a sparebolt retention device, and a body substantially comprising a pluralityof joined shaped planar members.
 2. The crossbow apparatus of claim 1,wherein said crossbow apparatus defines a miniature toy crossbowapparatus.
 3. The crossbow apparatus of claim 1, wherein said crossbowapparatus includes a captive axleless trigger device, an armed boltretention device, a spare bolt retention device, and a bodysubstantially comprising a plurality of joined shaped planar members. 4.The crossbow apparatus of claim 1, wherein said crossbow body includesat least one substantially planar base member and a plurality ofsubstantially planar side members, and wherein said crossbow apparatusis constructed such that said at least one base member is sandwichedbetween said plurality of side members.
 5. The crossbow apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein said crossbow apparatus includes a substantially planartrigger member having a substantially circular shaped bulb, and whereinsaid base member includes a substantially circular shaped opening formedtherein adapted to receive said bulb, and wherein said crossbowapparatus is constructed such that said trigger member bulb ispositioned within said circular shaped opening and is sandwiched betweensaid plurality of side members such that said trigger member isactuatable by rotating said trigger member about said bulb.
 7. Thecrossbow apparatus of claim 1, wherein said crossbow apparatus includesat least one of a handle having a grip formed of O-rings stretched oversaid handle and a bolt loaded in said crossbow apparatus wherein saidbolt defines a cotton swab with one end thereof removed.
 8. The crossbowapparatus of claim 1, wherein said crossbow apparatus is removably anddisplayably mounted on a stand.
 9. The crossbow apparatus of claim 8,wherein said stand defines a combination display stand and target.
 10. Aminiature toy crossbow apparatus having at least one of a captiveaxleless trigger device, an armed bolt retention device, a spare boltretention device, and a body substantially comprising a plurality ofjoined shaped planar members.
 11. The crossbow apparatus of claim 10,wherein said crossbow apparatus includes a captive axleless triggerdevice, an armed bolt retention device, a spare bolt retention device,and a body substantially comprising a plurality of joined shaped planarmembers.
 12. The crossbow apparatus of claim 10, wherein said crossbowbody includes at least one substantially planar base member and aplurality of substantially planar side members, and wherein saidcrossbow apparatus is constructed such that said base member issandwiched between said plurality of side members.
 13. The crossbowapparatus of claim 12, wherein said crossbow apparatus includes asubstantially planar trigger member having a substantially circularshaped bulb, and wherein said base member includes a substantiallycircular shaped opening formed therein adapted to receive said bulb, andwherein said crossbow apparatus is constructed such that said triggermember bulb is positioned within said circular shaped opening and issandwiched between said plurality of side members such that said triggermember is actuatable by rotating said trigger member about said bulb.14. The crossbow apparatus of claim 10, wherein said crossbow apparatusincludes at least one of a handle having a grip formed of O-ringsstretched over said handle and a bolt loaded in said crossbow apparatuswherein said bolt defines a cotton swab with one end thereof removed.15. The crossbow apparatus of claim 10, wherein said crossbow apparatusis removably and displayably mounted on a stand.
 16. The crossbowapparatus of claim 15, wherein said stand defines a combination displaystand and target.
 17. A crossbow apparatus kit having a plurality ofconstituent components expressly adapted to be assembled so as toconstruct a crossbow apparatus having at least one of a captive axlelesstrigger device, an armed bolt retention device, a spare bolt retentiondevice, and a body substantially comprising a plurality of joined shapedplanar members.
 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein said constituentcomponents include at least one substantially planar base member, aplurality of substantially planar side members, and a substantiallyplanar trigger member.
 19. The kit of claim 31, wherein said constituentcomponents further includes at least one of a plurality of O-rings, acombination display stand and target, and a bolt defining a cotton swabwith one end thereof removed.
 20. The kit of claim 17, wherein said kitis expressly adapted such that said constituent components may beassembled to form a crossbow apparatus having at least one substantiallyplanar base member sandwiched between a plurality of substantiallyplanar side members, and having a substantially planar trigger membercaptively positioned within an opening of said at least one base membersuch that said trigger member may be rotatingly actuated within saidbase member.